Slovenian Choir of St. Nicholas Litija wins among Asian and European choirs – Two Slovenian choirs will be finalists at the European Choral GRAND PRIX in spring 2026 in Maribor
The Saint Nicholas Choir Litija, Litija, Slovenia, conductor Helena Fojkar Zupančič
MARIBOR – The past weekend in Maribor was marked by choral singing, this time with a strong Asian flavor. The famous 18th International Choir Competition Gallus – Maribor 2025 was held in the Union Hall under the slogan “Musica noster amor!” – “Music, our love!” – after two years.
One of the most prestigious gatherings of choral art in Europe and the world, named after the great Renaissance composer Jacobus Handel – Gallus, is a place where top choirs and audiences meet and at the same time continues the more than century-old tradition of choral singing in Maribor. With a careful approach, perspectives and selection of performing choirs, Gallus – Maribor has become a competition where future winners of major European awards have been trained in the past and where choirs compete against the very best in the world. This year, eight choirs from Europe and Asia – from Estonia, Italy, Indonesia, Latvia, Singapore, Sweden and Slovenia – took part, of which six were mixed choirs, one male choir and one vocal group.
Mihela Jagodic, advisor for choir activities at the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities: “This year’s International Choir Competition Gallus Maribor 2025 was exceptionally held in October instead of April. The competition is recognized among choirs around the world for the high quality of the selected ensembles, internationally renowned conductors on the jury, the exceptional acoustics of the hall, which allows singers to truly express themselves artistically, and for the excellent organization and hospitable atmosphere that attracts choirs from all over the world. In addition to the competitive program, the event also offers a valuable opportunity for professional growth and education of our choir directors. ”
After the competitive part of the performances, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 18, and the Sunday final, in which five ensembles qualified, the jury, consisting of five internationally recognized choral experts from Slovenia and abroad, announced the recipient of the Gallus – Maribor 2025 Grand Prize from among choirs from Indonesia, Latvia, Singapore, Sweden and Slovenia. The Choir of St. Nicholas of Litija, conducted by Helena Fojkar Zupančič, won it. This made it one of the finalists of the competition for the Grand Choral Award of Europe 2026, which will be held in Maribor again in 2026 after eight years, on April 18, 2026.
The Saint Nicholas Choir Litija, Litija, Slovenia, conductor Helena Fojkar Zupančič
Photo: Marjan Laznik
The Archipelago Singers from Indonesia, conducted by Ego O. Azarya, came in second place. Slovenian choirs were once again represented this year by two ensembles: in addition to the winning Nikolaj, the Tone Tomšič Academic Choir of the University of Ljubljana with conductor Rahela Durič. The latter took third place in the competition.
The Archipelago Singers, South Tangerang, Indonesia, conductor Ega O. Azarya
Photo: Marjan Laznik
The Academic Choir Tone Tomšič, University Of Ljubljana, Slovenia, conductor Rahela Durič
Photo: Marjan Laznik
Among Sunday’s finalists were the Singaporean ONE Chamber Choir, led by choirmaster Ai Hooi Lim, and the Ropaži Pa Saulei Mixed Choir from Latvia, led by choirmaster Marta Ozola.
One Chamber Choir, Singapore, conductor Ai Hooi Lim
Photo: Marjan Laznik
Ropaži Municipality Mixed Choir Pa Saulei, Marupe, Latvia, conductor Marta Ozola
Photo: Marjan Laznik
This year’s jury was chaired by the Slovenian conductor and author of musical and stage projects Karmina Šilec, and its members were the South African conductor, composer and pedagogue Michael Joseph Barrett, the multi-awarded young Slovenian-Italian conductor Petra Grassi, one of the most distinguished Asian conductors, lecturer and organizer of major festivals Ban Sheng Toh from Singapore, and the Swedish conductor and pedagogue Mikael Wedar, a member of juries of important competitions in Europe, also a recipient of the great European choral award with his choir. The jury’s criteria are aligned with the most demanding world competitions: the technical preparedness of the choir, the complexity of the program and the convincingness of the performance.
Karmina Šilec, president of the jury: “As always, in the first part, the jury focuses on following the score, how the choir respects the author’s idea, and immediately after that we start following how the musicality is transmitted, how the performers transfer communication from the stage to the hall and how it is alive in terms of musicality, the content of the composition. In our conversations we try to include all these aspects in the assessment, but we know that it is very difficult to compete in art, it is also a matter of personal decision. So the result is the fruit of a five-member jury, different experiences, different cultures. It is a summary of what we see as good, worth emulating. It is also interesting how foreign choirs approach Slovenian texts and this year’s mandatory composition was quite a good touchstone.
In recent years, excellent ensembles have been heard on this stage. Sometimes there is also a transition from good to what we would truly call artistic. This is a special point that is difficult to put into words, but I think most people notice when a special atmosphere, expressiveness, connection, maturity in delivery occurs. This has no words, but it is what we all want as much as possible.
Only choirs of exceptional quality can qualify for the Gallus – Maribor International Choir Competition, which are capable of preparing a diverse and demanding program – this includes around 45 minutes of pure vocal music over all three days. The choirs present three to four programs: a program-rounded program typical of the country of origin (this is a non-competitive performance), a program from historical periods and a free program, with the five best choirs performing an additional one in the final. All concerts take place in the Union Hall, which is extremely popular with choir enthusiasts.
The competition also promotes Slovenian music in the world, as it introduces a performance of a composition by Jacobus Handel – Gallus of their own choice into the mandatory program for all choirs, and the artistic council of the competition each time also selects a Slovenian composer, to whom the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities commissions a new arrangement of a Slovenian folk song. This is performed by all choirs in the mandatory program. This important task was chosen this year by our multi-awarded composer Andrej Makor, who set the Slovenian folk song from the Dolina pri Trieste Valley, Eno rožco jaz imam, to music for this occasion. We heard the composition in a version for male and mixed choirs.
Andrej Makor, composer of the competition’s mandatory composition: “I chose a folk song from the Dolina pri Trieste Valley, because I always try to remain true to my roots, the coastal-karst region. As soon as I saw it in the legacy of the Slovenians in Trieste, it became close to my heart with its poetic, love lyrics, which do not allow for excessive dramatization and lead to a slightly introverted atmosphere. I felt an inner urge to dedicate something to our former conductor and composer Hilari Lavrenčič, and it seems to me that this event, the Gallus competition, is suitable for this, since he has been on this stage many times. I remained true to the melody, because I belong to that stream of composers who are supporters of this approach. The composition is a tiny emotional spark that intertwines from love to inner pain, and in the end it pours out into a slightly bitter, I could even say sweet sound that disappears into silence. It is a single love potion.”
The award for the best performance of the compulsory piece was given to the conductor of the winning choir, Helena Fojkar Zupančič, who also conducted the piece for all the choirs in the hall at the award ceremony.
In 2008, the Gallus – Maribor International Choir Competition was accepted into the prestigious association of competitions for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (EGP – European Grand Prix for Choral Singing), which, in addition to Maribor, includes five other European cities from countries with a rich choral tradition: Arezzo in Italy, Debrecen in Hungary, Tolosa in Spain, Varna in Bulgaria and Jurmala in Latvia. Therefore, it is all the more important that we know how to appreciate it at home as well.
Matija Varl, competition director: “The nationality of the choirs coming to the competition has changed drastically in the last thirty years. While in the 1990s we belonged predominantly to the Eastern bloc, we have since attracted choirs on a global scale. In fact, the only thing missing is Australia. If we stick to the changes, ensembles of equal voices used to dominate, but now mixed choirs dominate. We expect that more vocal groups will also respond in the future.”
The artistic direction of the Gallus – Maribor International Choir Competition is co-created by the Artistic Council, which consists of internationally renowned Slovenian conductors and composers: Martina Batič, Ambrož Čopi, Stojan Kuret, Damijan Močnik and Karmina Šilec. Their international references, awards and pedagogical work ensure that Gallus – Maribor maintains the highest level of professionalism.
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COMPETITION
The competition was first held in 1992, in parallel with the national competition Naša pesem, which established Maribor as a national center of choral culture. Since then, the Gallus – Maribor competition has alternated with Naša pesem and has developed into a recognizable international event. In 2008, it was accepted into the prestigious Association of Competitions for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, which finally placed it among the top European festivals and competitions.
The Gallus – Maribor International Choir Competition is much more than just a music competition. It is a celebration of choral art that puts Maribor on the world cultural map for three days, continues a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, and strengthens Slovenia’s reputation as a country with exceptional choral potential.
The competition is organized by the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities (JSKD), which is responsible for the development of amateur culture in Slovenia. With its network of 59 branches across the country, JSKD supports cultural associations and artists in all fields of art – from music and theater to dance, film and fine arts. The Gallus – Maribor competition is led by Mag. Matija Varl (director and organizational leader), Mihela Jagodic is responsible for the program direction, and the organizational committee also consists of Dr. Inge Breznik, Urška Čop Šmajgert, Mag. Franci Pivec and Brigita Rovšek.
